Obituary: Raymond D. Welchans, 92

Monday

Nov 4, 2013 at 4:08 PM

Raymond D. Welchans, 92 of Farragut, died Oct. 31, 2013 at Grape Community Hospital in Hamburg. He was born on Aug. 29, 1921 in the Locust Grove Township of Fremont County to Martin Elmer and Rhoda Mae (McMullen) Welchans. He attended country school and later Farragut High School.

Raymond D. Welchans, 92 of Farragut, died Oct. 31, 2013 at Grape Community Hospital in Hamburg. He was born on Aug. 29, 1921 in the Locust Grove Township of Fremont County to Martin Elmer and Rhoda Mae (McMullen) Welchans. He attended country school and later Farragut High School.

He entered the U.S. Navy on June 30, 1944 during World War II and was honorably discharged on Feb. 17, 1946. He was a Seabee.

He married Mary Ruth Merris in September of 1945 and later married ZoAnna D. Bain in December of 1967.

Raymond was a long-time farmer, electrician, and owned and operated Farragut Fertilizer for 25 years. He was a member of the Masons, Scottish Rite of Freemasonry, Elks and a life-time member of the American Legion.

He is survived by wife ZoAnna Welchans of Farragut; children John Welchans and wife Lauraine of Farragut, Teresa Williams and significant other Perry of Council Bluffs, and Tracy Williams and wife Kris of Hamburg; eight grandchildren: Kathryn Murphy and husband Louis of Chandler, Ariz., Kevin Welchans and significant other Rachel of Ft. Collins, Colo., Craig Welchans of Essex, Kari Martin and husband Jim of Shenandoah, Jody Welchans of San Antonio, Texas, Kelly Jones and husband Steve of Council Bluffs, Jordan Williams and Taryn Williams, both of Thurman; eight great-grand children: Lucy, Henry, John, Lilly and Ruthie Martin, Kayden and Carson Welchans and Hunter Jones; daughter-in-law Clarice Welchans of Blessing, Texas; brother Wilber Welchans and wife Sarah of Riverton; other family and many friends.

He was preceded by son James Welchans, daughter Trudy Sorensen, grandson Jamie Welchans and brother Dale Welchans.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 5, at the Farragut United Methodist Church with Rev. Bruce Hauswirth and Phil Wing officiating. Burial will follow the services at the Farragut Cemetery with military honors.

The family will greet friends from 6-8 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 4, at the Shull-Gude Funeral Home in Riverton. A Masonic service will be held at 7 p.m. Monday at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to the Shiner’s Crippled Children’s Fund or Farragut Fire Department.